3 potential landing spots for Seahawks cornerback D.J. Reed

Seattle Seahawks

I wrote recently about the potential landing spots for another Seahawks free agent, Rashaad Penny. On that list, I had Seattle as one of the teams that should sign Penny. I promise I won’t have the Seahawks in every potential landing spot article for their top free agents, but the same can be said of Reed that is can be said of Penny: Seattle needs Reed to return.

Seattle’s defense should be better next year simply because they will have a different defensive coordinator calling the plays on the field. Ken Norton, Jr. was terrible at that so whoever takes his place has to be better. Part of the bad play calling caused the corners to be in too many one-on-one situations as the pass rush couldn’t get home.

Still, D.J. Reed was good enough to hold down the right side of the field for Seattle most of the time. A better scheme, therefore, would make Reed even better and likely give him a greater opportunity to intercept passes. Reed had 2 picks this year and likely couldn’t have more because he couldn’t take as many chances.

In 2021, Reed had to play off the line a bit more and not press the receiver as much. This is reflected in the fact that while Reed allowed 12.1 yards per completion when targeted, he gave up 344 yards before the receiver could turn and run and just 163 yards after the pass was completed. This means Reed was being told to allow the completion in front of him.

With a more aggressive scheme (and the new DC has to be more aggressive than Norton, Jr. ever was even by accident), Reed will get more picks. More picks mean Reed has a chance to return the ball more and Reed is dangerous with the ball in his hands. This might turn into pick-6s or at least set the offense up with good field position.

The bottom line is, Seattle needs to find whatever money it takes to bring D.J. Reed back for 2022 and beyond. He is only 25 years old so Seattle should offer at least a three-year deal worth a total of around $30 million.